We have learned from research that relationships with high levels of trust and feelings of closeness have a common characteristic. These patterns are highly predictable of positive relationships.
Don’t Just Do Something, Stand There! Continue
Many couples and therapists struggle with what to think about marijuana use. This article offers suggestions for couples to have a conversation.
Cannabis and Couples: A Needed Conversation Continue
Let’s imagine that on reflection you notice that your reactions tend to be defensive and that if you are honest with yourself blame is a familiar tactic. There are any number of reasons or combination of reasons that blame and accusation come easily.
The Benefits of Blaming Our Partner Continue
What the Research Shows Us The research is pretty clear, there are innate needs that we are hardwired for –
One of the Most Important and Overlooked Relationship Builders Continue
“Rick” and “Sandy” came into the office with smiles and in good humor. I checked with them asking how things have
Sex in the City…Really? Continue
My wife and I had occasion to meet a new friend. Bud is in his eighties, has been married over 50 years, strong as a horse, sharp as a tack, and funny as all get out. Bud is a soft spoken man, exuding kindness, and a sort of wisdom that draws you in. He recalled the following story, sharing with Cindy and me that recently his neighbor Jim, was convinced that Bud was having marital problems.
Bud Must Have Marital Problems Continue
The concept of a time release conversation relates to the importance for couples every once in a while to review an issue that falls into the “Perpetual Problem” category. This periodic conversation is a “slow-release” communication tools that diffuses an issue that otherwise builds and damages the relationship.
Time Release Conversation Continue
Every family creates legacies. There are different kinds of legacies; some we strive to maintain, others we struggle with. If we think about some of these legacies long enough we may come to see some as destructive, undermining our relationship: unnoticed detours to closeness and intimacy.
Family Legacies: The Good, Bad and the Ugly Continue
My wife and I took advantage of a little 24 hour get-a-way this weekend. These 24 hour breaks are a long-standing tradition of ours and one we had not done in a while. They are great because while we are able to take time for ourselves it doesn’t take all weekend, which then allows us time to manage some of the stuff that we need to take care of: not a bad compromise. So we were walking on a windy Northern California beach after sunset, when I noticed my wife had her warm little beanie on.
Stop! In the Name of Love Continue
Where is our relationship at? How can I forgive my partner for what has happened? How can we go forward when my partner keeps talking about the past? Do we have a future? These are questions many couples struggle with in the counseling room, sorting through the mixture of ambivalent and often contradictory feelings about the relationship.
Relationships: Letting Go of Past Hurts Continue
One of the biggest complaints I would hear hear in the counseling room related to couples not feeling close, of having lost
The Six Second Kiss: It’s about Time! Continue
Some years ago I was in a session with a couple where they were taking stock of their relationship, discussing how each saw things. They shared with me how nice it was to focus on the positive in their relationship, not just talking about what wasn’t working. Things weren’t perfect, but noticing what was going right helped to cope with what wasn’t. That got me to think about the question of how couples measure their relationships. Lets listen to Mary Ann and David.
How Does Your Relationship Measure Up? Continue
GPS technology is quite amazing; It knows where you are, tells you how to get to where you want to go, and how long it takes to get there. Not only that, but when you don’t follow directions correctly it doesn’t get mad, it makes adjustments and gently and without judgement,  says things like, “When possible turn around”
A Relationship GPS: Wouldn’t It Be Nice Continue
Pete’s voice is rising as he directs the latest tirade at Susan, “You want me to pick up your mother from the airport? It is at least 45 minutes from the airport to our house…alone…with her”. Susan reacts immediately, “Pete, all you have to do is turn on talk radio, she loves that kind of stuff.
You Want Me To Do What?? Continue
How do you define intimacy in a relationship, what is it, how do you know when you have intimacy? The big question is how do we get there? Here is where we can learn from the “Masters of Relationships”, the research group Dr. John Gottman defines as people with long-term stable relationships who want to be with their partners,
Intimacy Moments of Opportunity Abound Continue
Much of what we now know works in relationships isn’t hard to do – at least theoretically. Couples that stay together have three qualities to their relationship
Relationship Skills Are Easy, But Hard To Remember (Sometimes) Continue
